Can Shoulder Bursitis Cause Neck Pain?

Shoulder and neck pain plagues countless modern people. Have you also struggled with shoulder and neck discomfort? Many people think that shoulder pain is only related to the shoulder, but this is not true. Bursitis, a common shoulder condition, can lead to neck pain. Would you like to know why? Follow Fivali as the mystery of it is solved!

Shoulder bursitis is a common shoulder disorder. It occurs when the bursa in the shoulder is irritated by repeated friction, compression, trauma, or infection, resulting in an inflammatory response of the bursa.

Common Symptoms

• Pain: Pain in specific shoulder areas like under the acromion or in the subdeltoid bursa is a prominent symptom. It varies in degree. Early on, it's dull or aching. But as the condition evolves or with shoulder movement, it worsens to stabbing or throbbing. Some patients' sleep is even affected at night due to it.
• Tenderness: Pressing on the inflamed bursa area in the shoulder causes obvious tenderness. For instance, pressing the lateral edge of the acromion intensifies pain. Doctors utilize this tenderness to help determine the specific location and severity of bursitis during examinations.
• Limited Range of Motion: The normal shoulder movement is affected. Abduction, elevation and rotation become hard to do. The pain worsens during movement, making patients reluctant to move shoulders widely. In severe cases, simple daily tasks like dressing and combing hair can't be done smoothly.

Relationship Between Shoulder Bursitis and Neck Pain

Shoulder bursitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the bursae in the shoulder region, and it can have several connections with neck pain:

1. Muscle Chain Effect 

The muscles around the shoulder and neck are part of a continuous chain. When shoulder bursitis occurs, it can cause muscle spasms in the shoulder. These spasms can extend along the muscle chain and trigger tension in the neck muscles, leading to neck pain. 

2. Postural Compensation

Patients with shoulder bursitis often unconsciously adopt compensatory postures to relieve shoulder discomfort. These abnormal postures, like tilting or hunching, put additional stress on the neck, gradually resulting in pain in the neck area over time.

3. Nerve Irritation

There are nerves that innervate both the shoulder and neck regions. Shoulder bursitis might irritate these nerves. The nerve impulses can then be transmitted in a way that makes the neck feel pain as well, creating a connection between the two in terms of pain perception.

Symptoms and Problems of Neck Pain Caused by Shoulder Bursitis 

Ⅰ Symptoms

• Diffuse Pain: The neck pain caused by shoulder bursitis is often not localized. It may spread across different areas of the neck, like the back of the neck, the sides, or even up to the base of the skull, presenting as a dull or aching sensation.
• Increased Pain with Movement: When moving the neck, such as turning the head, looking up or down, the pain tends to get worse. This is because the movement can further affect the already irritated muscle and nerve connections related to the shoulder bursitis. 
• Stiffness: The neck muscles become stiff, making it difficult to move the neck freely. There is a sense of tightness, and it might take some effort to achieve normal range of motion, which can also be accompanied by a popping or cracking sound in some cases.

Ⅱ Problems

• Limited Daily Activities: Simple tasks like driving, reading for a long time, or even just looking around become challenging due to the neck pain. It restricts normal head and neck movements, affecting work efficiency and daily life convenience.
• Sleep Disturbance: The pain can be quite bothersome at night, preventing patients from getting a good night's sleep. Constantly adjusting sleeping positions in an attempt to relieve the pain often leads to disrupted sleep patterns.
• Impact on Posture: To avoid exacerbating the pain, patients may unconsciously adopt poor postures, which in turn can cause additional stress on the spine and other parts of the body, potentially resulting in other musculoskeletal issues over time.

How to Relieve Neck Pain Caused by Shoulder Bursitis

1. Rest and Posture Correction 

Proper rest is essential. Avoid overusing the shoulder and neck for a while. Meanwhile, pay attention to maintaining correct postures. Sit and stand straight with the shoulders relaxed and the neck in a neutral position. This helps relieve the additional stress on the neck muscles and reduces pain.

2. Exercise and Stretching

Do some simple neck and shoulder stretching exercises regularly. For example, gently tilt the head to the sides, forward and backward, and rotate it slowly. Shoulder rolls, where you roll your shoulders in a circular motion, can also help loosen up the muscles around the shoulder and neck and relieve the pain caused by stiffness. 

3. Psychological Relaxation

Stress can exacerbate muscle tension and pain. Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These can help calm the mind and relax the body, reducing the overall perception of pain in the neck caused by shoulder bursitis.

How to Prevent Shoulder Bursitis and Neck Pain

Shoulder protective equipment, like double shoulder brace or pads, is vital for preventing shoulder bursitis and neck pain. In daily life, work, and sports, our shoulders endure various movements and external forces. Without proper protection, the shoulder bursa can be irritated by friction, compression or impact, causing bursitis.

Once shoulder issues occur, the connected muscles and nerves spread the discomfort, leading to neck pain too. The best double shoulder support brace serves as a safeguard. It minimizes these risks, keeping our shoulders and necks healthy, thus playing a crucial role in avoiding such painful problems.

Benefits of Shoulder Protective Equipment for Reducing Shoulder Bursitis and Neck Pain

• Stabilization and Support: Shoulder braces are designed for shoulder joint stability. They hold the joint properly, reducing excessive movement and stress. The Fivali Double Shoulder Compression Sleeve is a versatile product designed for both sports and everyday use. Crafted from a soft, comfortable fabric, it offers stability during physical activities while providing pain relief and helping prevent injuries. Its thin and lightweight design ensures maximum comfort and ease of movement. When doing repetitive overhead motions, wearing one can prevent improper shoulder actions, lowering bursitis risk. It also eases strain on neck muscles and nerves, relieving potential neck pain.

• Impact Absorption: Shoulder brace for shoulder pads are made of shock-absorbing materials. In high-impact sports like football, hockey, and motocross, they absorb impact force before it hits the shoulder. This safeguards the bursa and tissues, reducing bursitis risk. By lessening shoulder impact, the neck is less affected, curbing pain from shoulder injuries.
• Posture Correction: The shoulder support brace can offer support and help correct posture. Correct posture is key for spine alignment and weight distribution. Donning Fivali double shoulder brace encourage natural shoulder positioning, reducing strain on muscles and the bursa. It also prevents neck issues, thus being beneficial for preventing bursitis and neck pain.

Shoulder bursitis can lead to neck pain as muscle spasms and nerve issues from the inflamed shoulder spread discomfort. Neck pain then causes stiffness, disrupting daily life. Fortunately, there are ways to relieve it. Adequate rest, proper exercises and medications can help, and a shoulder compression brace can reduce risks. However, if the neck pain is severe or persistent, seeking medical help is vital. Doctors can accurately diagnose and offer suitable treatments for recovery.